Spencer Knight Pushing For Spot On Opening Night Roster

Spencer Knight is setting himself up to be on the Florida Panthers opening night roster come October 8.

The 23-year-old goaltender has been battling with offseason signee Chris Driedger throughout the preseason for the backup role behind veteran Sergei Bobrovsky, but if you read through the tea leaves, it certainly feels like Knight might have the lead for the job.

Carrying The Load

When the Tampa Bay Lightning came to Sunrise for their preseason game Monday with a relatively large contingent of NHL regulars, the Panthers went with a tandem of Bobrovsky and Knight, with Knight playing the final 30 minutes and stopping 13 of 14 shots he faced.

On Wednesday, rather than alternating to Driedger like head coach Paul Maurice had been doing all preseason, Knight got the call again. He started and played all 60 minutes in Florida’s 2-1 overtime win in their rematch against Tampa. He allowed just one goal on 27 shots. 

“He’s moving, and he’s moving into pucks,” Maurice said. “He’s just an incredible athlete, and we’re starting to see that. Confidence grows, and now you’re starting to see the physical strength that he has to get across the ice, to stay down on his pads when he moves. He looked pretty powerful.”

Knight and the Panthers penalty kill kept Tampa to 0-and-4 on the power play Wednesday.

Knight’s Growth

Knight, who had been considered one of the top goaltending prospects in the NHL since he was drafted 13th overall by the Panthers in 2019.

The jump in mental and physical fortitude from last year to this year may be the biggest we’ve seen in his pro career. Knight told the media Wednesday that he has focused on not thinking as much during camp this year, and just letting himself have fun.

“I think it starts in practice where, instead of trying to work on something or think about so many different things, I kind of would just go out and play,” Knight said. “Sometimes make fun saves, windmill saves. And I think that’s the thing I’ve been trying to carry over into the games: just getting into that zone where you’re not really thinking and you just play.”

Still, Knight knows his habits that he’s crafted off the ice and in practice will take over when he gets between the pipes.

“You just rely on your details and the habits that you’ve built,” Knight said. “When you get to the point where you’re not thinking, it all comes together.”

The Road Back To The NHL

Knight made his debut in 2020 and then spent the following two seasons as Bobrovsky’s backup. But in February of 2023, Knight entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. He was away from the Panthers the rest of the season.

When he returned the following year, he spent the entire season with the AHL Charlotte Checkers while Anthony Stolarz backed up Bobrovsky. Knight allowed 2.41 goals per game and recorded five shutouts with the Panthers minor league affiliate.

Knight knows there will be ups and downs this season, as with any other player. Entering what could be his third full year in the NHL, he has learned to ride with the ebbs and flows.

“It’s a never-ending process, you could say, from camp to the first game of the regular season,” Knight said. “But realistically, it’s never going to end. There’s going to be games throughout this year I’m going to hate, and there’s gonna be games that I love. And it’s a recurring process of just doing it over again, continually showing up, and having fun, and not getting too high or too low.”

Whether Knight is actually selected to the opening night roster remains to be seen, but the announcement will likely come later this week. The Panthers have one preseason game left — a neutral-site game against the Los Angeles Kings in Quebec City — and open their season at home against the Boston Bruins on October 8.